Pathway good idea for Downtown El Paso

Perhaps one of the biggest positive impacts on Downtown revitalization will be as simple as a pathway -- an easier way of getting back and forth on foot. Finally!

It's long been a problem for pedestrians to get from the growing nightclub/restaurant area in the Union Plaza Entertainment District to Downtown proper, where there's even more to offer. Or to shop in Downtown, then have dinner and refreshments at a Union Plaza restaurant or nightclub.

Basically this is a planned cut-through. No more circumventing buildings.

On Tuesday, using voter-approved quality-of-life bond money, City Council approved a pedestrian pathway that will connect Union Plaza to Downtown proper, where museums, the Plaza Theatre, shopping and more food and entertainment are available. It will go around the Judson F. Williams Convention Center and also give good access to the new ballpark now under construction.

Presently there are several problems getting around, and doing so can mean a long hike. In fact, one almost needs a map with directions. This pedestrian pathway, at a cost of $569,000 (we're not even talking millions here) will turn that trek into a stroll. And, hopefully, aspects of a once-conceived bi-national arts walk can be included. Perhaps that arts walk, on 2006 plans, is not a dead issue? It was to wind through Downtown as promenade, passing by envisioned cafes, coffee shops some art galleries, along with retail outlets.

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Benefits for this pathway are many, both for locals and tourists.

It will now be an easy walk from hotels to Union Plaza. Walking from the DoubleTree Hotel to Union Plaza has been difficult because the convention center sits in the way.

And because there is a four-story parking garage near Union Plaza, more parking options are available to those who will take the pathway.

Since the present Downtown revitalization push was conceived in 2006, there have been millions of dollars pumped into the area. It's been both private money, such as the restoration of the historic Mills Building, to the city's project that will expand San Jacinto Plaza into a larger, more usable green-space area. The city is also providing free circular buses. Private businesspersons have opened lofts and more business is moving Downtown, especially in the restaurant trade.

But the entire Downtown is still not a 24/7 place to live, work, shop, eat and recreate. During the day, the Tall Buildings section and its retail and restaurants are the hub, as is retail and restaurants heading south to the ports of entry. By night, much of that is closed, other than during events at the Plaza Theatre. At night, the Union Depot section heats up.

There are a lot of fingers crossed that the new Triple-A ballpark will be an economic driver to really jump-start revitalization. Businesses tend to be around areas with a lot of people, and the Triple-A El Paso team will have 72 home games a year. The ballpark can be used for other events as well.

This new pedestrian pathway will also be a catalyst toward that revitalization.

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